We're Hopin' For a Better Experiance
With The Newest Minimed
Guardian
CGM

(Gee, think they may have used a female body ?)

I'll Keep you Informed as to my Results

May 25, 2007 It arives.
Lets start from the jump. When I first got the Dexcom (see below) , my first 4 hours were riddled with problems. I was on the phone with them 3 or 4 times.
My first 4 hours with the
Guardianhave been nothing if not easy, and Problem Free.
Ok, I'd like it closser then
Guardian 84, meter 119, but, 20% is 20%.
I may be a bit optomistic, but at least I'm starting out encouraged. Nothing breeds confidence like success.
What I can already say, and I guess you've got to expect it from Minimed, is,
they know diabetes.
You can tell from the get-go, that this item is engineered with/by diabetics.
Now we all know the adage about first impressions. Leme tell ya'

These Folks Sure Do Appear To Know What They're Doin'!

I guess it helps to be in the bussiness for more then a few years.

May 28, 2007.
I reset the sensor last night without missing a beat (in 4 minutes, it was back on line).
(i know.... Not the recomended 3 days and out)May 29, 2007.
I woke up this morning. The
Guardian
said 88. How close was it ??
My meter said 87. And results like this are for more the norm, then the exception.
Now Isn't That the kind of results we've all been waiting for.
My first 3 days have simply been a pleasure...
All this thing does is work (I sure hope I'm sayin' that in a few weeks).
If I sound a little excited, I'm not. I'm very excited. Especially after my previous experience.

June 01, 2007
You may not belive me, but the hardest thing about using the
Guardian
said 88. How close was it ??
, as with any new device is believing it. It is nearly all the time SO RIGHT ON.
I had a normal lunch, and at around 1:00 the guardian read 92... So, of course I pulled out the trusty meter.

Can You Say 90 ? Well, Can Ya' ?

June 08, 2007
Well, its like this. Yes, it has been off on occation. Sometimes a little more then I'd like.
But, so much of the time, it may read 108...
When i test, to my ammazement, and delight, my meter says 110.... So, of course, I Set My Meter to the Guardian;-)
So far, it has been a wonderful help at keeping the ups and down far closer.
For my $1600, plus $35 evey week (yes, I did say week, not three days), This is so worth having.

One of the really really positive things about it is its dependability.
It has Never falied me, but, whenever its Not happy, It will not die, like the Dexcom did.
It will let you know that it is unhappy (truely a rare situation), and usually, why it is.
HEY, dependability is what its all about!!... You'd not ware your pump, were it not reliable.

Another really wonderful thing is how darn accurate it is. I am honestly living a different life style due to it.
Furthermore, it has NEVER given me a false alarm.
When it has said 50, I'm between 38, and 60, and when it says Over 170, I'm between 160 and .... well. Over.....

Oct 10, 2007.
I thought I'd simply make a quick entry here, and let you know that the
Guardian
is still very dependable...
If I have any small complaint, Its more with me.
It sometimes wakes me, in the middle of the night, needing a calibration..
Other times, to let me know that diner hit me a little later, and a little harder then i mihjt hacve anticpated..

Or

diner wasn't quite as many carbs as I had thought. Is it closed loop ???

Well, Leme Tell Ya'

Its close.. Real close.. It simply requires me to be the interface between it and my pump.
But it works, and I must be honest and tell you that I now do a meter reading less then 4 times a day...
I think You will too

I really do feel as though the next generation is just over the horizon. And Yes. I would Wear a MM pump.....

When I First Saw It, I Felt I Had to Try it.

(May 11, 2006)
Seeing the new Dexcom CGM, I just knew it was something I had to have.
Though It cost $500, and around $37 every 4 to 5 days, and
is not yet covered by insurance,
I was not to be deterred.
The idea seemed wonderful. Almost to good to be true.... Almost too good.

The first time I inserted a sensor, I was on the phone with them (3 times).
Yes, they were very helpful, but, there seemed to be problems with getting things started.

So far, I am NOT ENCOURGED at all.
I get readings 234, when, according to my meter, I'm 155.
At times it has been helpful, at others not....
So far, it has not worked a solid 24 hours
Dexcom is sending me an entire new unit, and I will see if my first one actually had a problem.I sure hope that's the case
Yes its neat!
Yes, I'll give it another try.
It did wake me once, in a night time low (though I likely would have gotten up myself),
Twice told me I was a bit higher then I had thought, and I adjusted, but, more often then not, it, and its data CAN differ so far from the trusted meter.
Maybe, just Maybe it IS actually closer to my real BS, then the meter.
But, remember, I don't adjust my meter to the Dexcom, but the other way around.
So, the meter is the baseline.
At times, it has just become hard to trust, and trust is what keeping alive is all about(IMNSHO).
Our meters are our gospel (to us).
We live (and hopefully not die) with what they tell us.
If my meter says 100, then I'm 100.
When i tell my CGM I'm 100, it comes back 5 minutes later, having corrected itself from 185 to 165.Hey I'M 100, I WANT TO SEE 100.
Remember, if the meter can be off by 20%, and the CGM can be off by 20%, then
I could be off by 40%. Maybe not so bad, 140 or 196, but, the difference between 100, and 60 is huge, to many.
I may be totally off base here, but:

It just seem that those not dependent on such things, don't totally get it.

BTW:
For those of you seeing words like INTEGRATED be forewarned.
Integrated means the pump is used as the display. PERIOD.
Its is NOT (Did I say NOT) a closed loop system in any way.
There are just some companies out there that know how to use the words they think you want to hear.

Are you ready for it ?? Is it ready for you ? Could Be.
It is the future for sure

(May 19, 2006)
Well, I must admit things appear to be going a bit better.
Seems that if the contacts on the transmitter get a little dirty, the sensor (the infusion-set like thing) does not make contact.
Seems to be a condition customer service was not familiar with. Hey, Its new, things like this are bound to happen.
Currently, the receiver does not report this condition, but I've heard mention of this being addressed, in future releases.
At times, it appears to be accurate, at other times, not at all.
Even when its not accurate, it IS
capable of reporting whether you're going up, or going down.I've been waiting For a meter/device that does this for years.
Direction is nearly as important as the current BS number.
The problem is, It doesn't really let you know when its accurate, and when its not.
So, once again, When do I trust it, when don't I?
Yes, I can calibrate it. Yes, I can compensate.
Yes, I understand it is a supplemental device, but, supplemental or not, I need to have confidence in the devices I use.
Further more, this dropping out things seriously needs addressing.

It has, when it is working, been somewhat helpfull at catching that Dawn Affect I seem to experience.
It happens every day, but never at the same time, so I can't seem to adjust my pump to deal with it.
Occasionally, I am able to catch it, as it rises, and deal with it. That Alone could make it worth while, If It would stay working for more then a day or two..

As I said above, You judge for yourself, but, at this point, The Jury's still out. Reliability appears to be a major issue.

(June 03, 2006)
Well, I've received my THIRD, yes THIRD Unit.
I must admit, the folks at Dexcom are as helpful as can be. They faithfully stand behind their product.

BUT!

The Dexcom very often simply quits working.
The folks at Dexcom keep talking about noise. I don't know from noise.
They have also mentioned that it falls out of calibration. What ever the reason, it happens, and far to often for me to consider it to be reliable.
What ever the problem is, the ramification is the CGM becomes a NGM (Never Glucose Monitor).
This issue may not be all much a problem during the day time, when you can keep an eye on it,
But, if you were go to bed, and you were depending on it possibly catch an middle of the night LOW,
and, it got noisy or fell out of calibration while asleep, You just might have, well, you know.
It does NOT warn you when/that this situation has occurred, and this has happened more then a few times.
IMNSHO, This is of major concern.
To stop working is one thing.
To quit in the middle of the night is worse.
To have no warning of this failure is inviting danger.
I find it a bit strange that something this serious has apparently gone un-addressed.
This sort of supports the theory that not enough diabetics were active in the design of the software.
Oh! Did i mention i Love being woken up at 3 am, with a Low Warnning to find that my meter says 97 (which, for me, doesn't even come CLOSE to low.)

This makes it untrustworthy. As a Diabetic, That makes it virtually useless to me.
There are just some things about diabetes, that only a diabetic can address.
There are just some concerns about diabetes, that only a diabetic would be concerned about.

Though I must admit, they're close, I just don't think Dexcom has it totally solved just yet.

IMO, Its Just May Not Ready For Prime Time

I'm not professing "Hire only diabetic engineers". That would be silly.
I do however feel as though the Dexcom was designed more with engineering in mind, and diabetes being an after thought.
Of course I know that not to be the truth, but, I (and a few others) sort of feel that way.
Though an engineer, I am first and foremost a consumer/customer. AFAIC, I shouldn't be finding faults of this nature, after the unit has been marketed.
I treat diabetes quite arduously. Since getting the pump, and a meter to assist me in controlling it, I have becomes almost compulsive.
I make use the wonderful new tools provided me, and deal with my diabetes as vigorously as possible.
As an engineer, I understand a bit about how things work, especially electronic things.
Though as assiduous as i think possible, I can't keep this thing working for more then half a day, the majority of the time.
I follow all the rules, and use it in a manner I feel required to make it a useful tool.
Can I really be that much of an anomaly? Am I the only one having these problems with this device? I have to think not.
Sometimes it fools me, and works for a day or two.
Then, the next 2 days, I'm lucky If I get 8 hours out of it.

I'll keep trying, for another day or two, but the next failure to perform is the last failure to perform.

Here are just of few of the readings that have occurred in the past few days:

Date

Time

Dexcom

Meter

6/1/06

9:40 AM

98

47

6/1/06

12:00 PM

305

175

6/1/06

4:00 PM

319

172

6/2/06

4:00 PM

251

151

6/2/06

11:00 PM

304

189

6/2/06

4:00 PM

87

64

6/2/06

11:00 PM

45

97

6/3/06

9:40 AM

98

47

6/4/06

4:00 AM

89

44

Not Good

6/4/06

7:20 AM

190

143

6/4/06

8:00 AM

243

162

6/4/06

10:00 AM

175

124

6/4/06

11:00 AM

107

94

After a calibration

6/4/06

12:00 AM

93

81

Finally

NOTE: theses are only some samples. At times, the numbers do get very close, but at others, they don't.

Is it me ???

(June 5, 2006)
I have just been informed that I should attempt to calibrate it more often then the 2 times a day that is required.
That of course means I have to use a meter that I am less then fond of, (I talk about that below), but I will give that a try.
My interest in having this device work, far outweighs my objections to the meter.
So, We'll see what happens. It could result in it being more accurate, but I'm not as confident that it will solve the dropping out (noise) issue.
Should this newest procedure resolve any of the issues, I'll be the first to say so, and be glad too.
I've tried so many, I must admit its a little difficult to give up.

(June 6, 2006)
Well, I got to be honest here. Though I'm not holdin' my breath, it has been working for nearly 36 hours, with virtualy no hitches.
Do you think maybe it heard me?? ;
My experience with the Dexcom has lead me to one conclusion. Should the Dexcom end up not being my CGM of choice,
one way or another, I will own one. (except for one that is integrated, since I use a Cosmo Non-integrated pump.)

You may have noticed the word trust appears quite often in this review.
If you happen to be a diabetic reading this, I Know you get it.

(June 20, 2006)
Well; today I tore out the sensor, ripped off the receiver, and tossed it in the box.
I had hopes of keeping it, But I simply Can Not trust it.
Though I'd like it to work, it just doesn't enough of the time.
Though I'd like it to be reliable, it is Not.
Occasionally, it did work, and well at times, but, it would simply stop working whenever it decided to.
How can I trust it to wake me when I may be low? I cant.
Never once did i get a full 3 days usage without some interuption.
I gave it more then an ample try. Many many times I was ready to toss it away, but said:
"Nah, it is kinda cool. I've got to give it another chance&quot.
It is out of chances.....
We'll see how well they stand behind their product now. Think they'll return my $500+ ?
Maybe.... Hopefully, should you decide to try it, you results may be better.

The above has simply been my experiences. I mean to offend no one, nor badger any company, or its products.
What I have described is what has occurred, and represent me and my experiences only.
As is always said, when taking about diabetes and the products available for use to assist one in dealing with it: YMMV.
(Your Mileage May Vary.)

This document is not meant to be medical advice.

It is just an account of ones dealings with diabetes.

(Began September, 2002)

I have been
Diabetic
for 46+ years. At
the time I first contracted it,
the only test one could do was a urine test.
This type of testing detected high blood-sugar after is was going through the
blood stream;
Way too late. I used to boil glass syringes to sterilize them.
That was then, today, things have changed.
There have been a few adjustments of
my insulin over the past 45 years, but theyíve been minor.
For the most part,
Iíve taken some mix of Regular and Lente, and Ultra-Lente. This document describes them.
For about the past 12 years,
I took Lente and Humulin (Human Regular) in the morning, and again before dinner.
I sort of made an agreement with my diabetes.Iíll deal with you, just donít try to be the major item in my life.
I canít complain about this. I am nearing 51, and have been diabetic since
I tuned 5,and, for the most part,
it appears that Iím functioning quit well.
Iím sure they will occur, but so far, I have been lucky (blessed) with
virtually no diabetic related complications (ďok, momĒ Ö. ďIm Knocking on woodĒ
and, im not giving myself any kenahoras).
Want a scary number? I have injected myself 34,675 times.

More then NOT being able to eat this or that
was HAVING to eat on a schedule.
That, as most type 1 diabetics will
tell you, is the greatest hassle.
I can't tell you how many times I had to leave
a meeting, ďshakiní in my shoesĒ,
at 12:15, while waiting for lunch to arrive.

A few months ago (July 2002), I was introduced toLantus.Lantus is a new, long acting, basal controlling insulin.
Along with the change to Lantus, I was also introduced to the Injex.
And if you thought that Dr McCoyís needle-less injection was a thing of the future ??
Check out the
Injex !
Soon after the change to Lantus, I was introduced to Humalog (or
Novolog.
),
to control bolas. Humalog
is a quick acting insulin.
And the delivery
system? The Pen.
Check
This out!
Whatís going on here ??

Am I cured?

Let me tell yaí!! I AM almost cured. I now
know words like basal and bolus, and in what is nothing less then
phenomenal,
was told, that if I count my carbohydrates
(carbs), I could
eat WHAT I WANT, and WHEN I WANT.
I can skip lunch, or eat it at
1:30. AND, I could even have a piece of Boston-Cream-Pie for dessert.
(though I havenít yet, And just cant bring myself to it).
I play guitar, and puncturing my finger was not an
easy task.
It also didnít seem to mean much. I could not really make any
adjustments in the past,
due to the fact that the insulin(s) that I took, took
between 4 and 12 hours to work.
I now test my blood sugar 5 to 8 times a day.
I have become quite anal about this, and,
I use the only two fingers, not used for guitar playing, and my arm
(the BB KING style) using the Onetouch (by Lifescan).
Do I like poking my finger 6-8 times a day? ďI guess notĒ!
But, when I see 121, or 87, or 132,
It makes me feel like Iíve got a good grip on diabetes (free rushes are
harder to come by, as one reaches 50). If I get above 225 (a rarity),
I feel like a total failure (I prefer 90 as normal, as opposed to the prescribed 120).
By the way, the Freestyle(by Therasense.)is even less painful,
and uses one-tenth the amount of blood when compared to the Onetouch.
Check it out. I now test, in my wrist. It almost Non Invasive.
(commonly known as insulin reactions) is virtually
non-existent. If I see less then 70, its time for a quick snack
(a two ounce Milkyway works well). When I see 222, its time for a quick couple of units of Novolog.
Since I am checking all day,
I am rarely unaware of what my blood-sugar is.
There are many fine blood sugar meters out there. You must have one.
Some even connect to your home computer, and draw all kinds of charts.

I modify the amount of Novolog I take as the
day goes on.Novolog goes to work in minutes. I take Novolog
between 2 and 4 times a day (before each meal, and any additional based on
testing blood sugar).
If I donít want lunch, I check my blood-sugar, and,
adjust if needed. When dinner comes along, I measure my blood-sugar again,
and
take insulin, based on what Iím going to eat ( and a few simple formulas). If I
eat out, I check at the table, and pull out my pen. Around 2 hours after
dinner, I check again, to see if I might take a little more.
I take the Lantus
around 10 PM. My latest H1C was 6.1.
I still make many carb calculation mistakes, BUT,
after 44 years, I control my diabetes,
rather than it
controlling me

Iím not recommending this, just telling my
experiences.
You must seek help from you doctor, and some of the wonderful
diabetic consults that have sprung up around the country, before you make any
changes.

Remember, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary)

My primary reason for this page is, that only through
mere chance, ďa little bit of luckĒ
, and a lot of help from my mother, was I even aware of the recent
changes in diabetic control. My doctor was a major help, because it was she who
recommended the Lantus. She did not make me aware of the new Insulin
Pen(s), instead of the old ĹĒ spike you may be used to, this isa ľĒ
needle, in an easy to carry pen-like form. Some even use pre filled
cartridges (Novo). Let me tell you,
This is not your grand fatherís
syringe (see links for pens below).
I in no way blame her. It is your
responsibility to keep up on these new things.
If you are reading this, then,
youíve obviously got a great resource in front of you.
USE IT! Are the days of Ultra,
Lente, and Regular gone?
Iím no doctor, so I donít know. But your
doctor does. (and I sue hope so)

I would not be around the write this, if not for the
help of my mother. Life is tough enough for a 5-year-old with diabetes,imagine
what it must be for the parent.

So, I thought that my H1C of 6.3 is so great
(it actually is).
My friend Kathy walked into my office last week,
waving her 6.0 (previously 10.1).
How did this happen?

THE Insulin PUMP
(Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion) .

I made an appointment with my endo. I asked her feelings about my going on the pump.
It didn't take 2 seconds for her to say "go for it. I think you'd be an excellent candidate.
I don't do the pump, but I'll send you to someone who does".
I'm now a few weeks away from the pump. Iíll let you know how I make out.
But, even if I donít choose to go with the pump, the changes over the past few
months, warrant mentioning. I am going to look into them! ďIt Coudnít HoitĒ

Oct. 10, 2002 The Pump Arrives!!

Oct. 10, 2002. Well, I am now wearing a Disetronic insulin pump on
my hip.
My choice of pumps was an easy one.
My CDE (Certified Diabetic Eudcator) had around 5 different pumps, on a table.
I did not look at the table, i looked at his hip.
This is the answer to life, the universe, and everything.
I can adjust my basal differently at night, and during the day.
I can bolus whenever I need, or want, AND,
I am needle-less (for the most part) (the infusion set uses a
small needle, for insertion only, every other day).
Its a real nice change in life style, after more than 34,000 injections.
If your insurance carrier
covers this, donít take NO for an answer.
Once you try it, you wonít go back.
The pump can not only improve your health, it can, and usually does,
cause a major improvement in lifestyle.

I will tell you about my experiences, and getting
started in the next few days.

†
Oct. 20, 2002.
It's amazing. I have such immediate and precise control.
Even a Bs of 160 can be immediately fixed. Any snack.... at any time... "Thats Living"

†
Nov. 4, 2002. I am still
having a few minor problems calculating some meals.
It sure seems like a plate of Jumbolia (with less then Ĺ a cup of rice)
should be around 50 carbs. For me,
thats 12 units. An hour later my bs was 232.
(Upsettingly high for me). I did a bolus correction,
and an hour later, it was 178 (and dropping). The next day,
I stayed between 87 and 132 all day. Thatís what Iím looking for.

Nov. 10, 2002. I may start to drop back a little on the testing,
from 8 times a day, to 6.
It seems like Iíve got the overnight licked.
As long as Iím between 90 and 145 at bedtime, I will wake up around
116.
(I donít know how after 46+ years of not really giving a dam,
Iíve become so $&#^$ anal about this, but I assume it is for the better).

Nov. 19, 2002.
I saw my pump endo for the first time since getting the pump.
I felt so good, and was so excited, I kissed him....
I think he freeked.
Dec. 10, 2002.
I got my first A1C result, 6.6. Excuse me... I have to go beat myself.
Everyone tells me that iv'e just started, but I am totally bummed.
I was hoping for 6.1. I will keep trying. I will get there.

Jan. 19, 2003.
Had a piece of "Boston Cream Pie"..... Not bad
Jan 20, 2003.
One of the benefits I have noticed is that I've lost 14 pounds.
After 46+ years of having to eat three meals a day,
I seem to not recognize hunger (my hunger muscle has sort of atrophied).
I now eat one meal a day, and feel just fine.

Feb 13, 2003.
I went to Friendly's for diner with my daughter tonight.
I think I'm in love. No, No,No.. In love with an Oreo sundae.
Almost worth wating 46+ years for. It was GREAT.

Mar. 25, 2003.
Of all the wonderful things, which the pump has done for me, not
having to eat, is one of my favorites.
I eat one meal a day, diner. Go ahead, tell me how ďnot so good that isĒ. Iíve never felt better.
And Iím down to 224, with only 8 pounds to go.
June. 20, 2003.
A1C.............. 6.2... im gettin' there

Nov. 19, 2003.
Let me tell ya'... The Cozmo is one heck of a pump............
If you not sure which pump to get, i'll not say, this is the one, and only one, but,
I will say: "You wont be sorry you chose the Cozmo".... it ROCKS!
There a number of great pumps being made.
The Mini-med is quite small. The Cosmos has some of the new software fetures,
like programming carbs per init, so you can simply tell it how many carbs
you are taking, and it will inject you accordingly.
I like the D-Tron, because it uses the pre-filled Humalog pen cartridge.
I also Love the spare pump. Disetronic is the only manufacturer that
does this.
I feel much more secure, having a backup. You may too.

Jan. 9, 2004. I'm giving Novolog a try again....
I used the Humalog, because the cartridges fit the d-tron,
but, since im now filling them myself (an extremely easy task).
If I remember correctly, it hits a little harder, then the Humalog,
which I happen to like. I'll let you know.

Feb. 10, 2004. Novolog is just working great....
I am aware, how different all diabetics are, but, for me...
Novolog is a real winner... all the things i expected from it, are, in fact, working.

So, how do i feel, about the pump ? To quote, Sara SP:

They Can Take My Pump,
But
They'll Have To Pry It Out Of My Cold Dead Fingers

Integrate diabetes services
If you live anywhere in the Philadelphia Pa. area,
you owe it to yourself to give them a visit. Though I love my endo, they are the
ones who set up my entire
program, and traned me on the pump as well.
The changes theyíve made in my life
are incredible. I wake up, every day,
feeling like
im the luckiest guy in the world
,
and, I owe a large portion of that, to Gary and Regina